ACA Glow for a Cure nighttime golf tournament, tonight, Highlands Golf Course. Drawing for $1,000 gas card supports ACA’s Lindy Harrell Pre-Doctoral Scholars Program in Alzheimer’s Research at UAB. https://alzca.org/gas-gift-cards/. Chances available for purchase online until 1 pm.
July Webinars from Alabama Lifespan Respite: https://alabamarespite.org/events2/
Canterbury-Beeson Forum on Aging, August 13, Canterbury United Methodist Church, Birmingham,https://www.canterburyumc.org/events-calendar/2022/8/13/canterbury-beeson-forum-on-aging
19th Annual Alzheimer’s Professional & Family Caregiver Conference, August 26, Eastern Hills Baptist Church, Montgomery, https://www.eventbrite.com/e/19th-annual-alzheimers-professional-family-caregiver-conference-tickets-381131543707
The third Global-US BrainTrust dialogue, August 31, 11 – noon CT, experts will share insights on the importance of early diagnosis, latest findings in ground breaking clinical trials, and the power of music as it pertains to brain health. Global-US Brain Trust Quarterly Dialogue: Trending Issues in Alzheimer’s Prevention (google.com)
In-person and zoom Support Groups:
- ACA’s group with Miller & Vance, Tuesday, August 3, 11 – noon CT. Call (205) 871-7970 or mpiggott@alzca.org. Join us on zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86450491838
- Pell City group, first Thursdays of the month at 6:30; and the third Tuesdays of the month at 6:30. Contact Bit Thomaston, ethomason50@gmail.com
- CJFS CARES, Mondays at 3 pm, contact Pam Leonard, pam@cjfsbham.org.
- Founders Place at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Tuesday’s at 10 am, contact Betsy Smith, Smith35213@gmail.com
- West Alabama Area Agency on Aging, Caregiver Support Group, Tuesdays, contact Nikki Poe, nikki.poe@westal.org.
- The Oaks on Parkwood, 4th Tuesday’s, 10:00 am, Contact: Karen Glover, karenrglover@bellsouth.net.
- CJFS CARES, Tuesdays, 7:00 pm, contact Pam Leonard, pam@cjfsbham.org.
- United Way Area Agency on Aging of Jefferson County, 3rd Tuesday of each month 11:30-12:30, contact Valarie Lawson, vlawson@uwaaa.org
- M4A, 2nd Thursday’s, noon – 1 pm. Contact Crystal Whitehead, cwhitehead@m4a.org
- M4A, 3rd Wednesday’s 2:00 – 3:00 pm. Contact Crystal Whitehead, cwhitehead@m4a.org
- Asbury United Methodist Church1st and 3rd Thursdays at 1:00, contact Maggie Dunaway at mdunaway@asburyonline.org.
Alzheimer’s News:
If you are one of the many people in Alabama impacted by dementia, this website is designed to help you! ALABAMA CAREGIVER CONNECT – Home (ua.edu). Alabama Caregiver Connect was created by researchers, providers, and caregivers, to help Alabama caregivers get information they need about dementia and caregiving. The content on the website is based on what caregivers report they want to learn more about. Did you know:
- In 2025, more than 110,000 Alabamians will have a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease.
- In 2021, there were more than 211,000 Alabamians providing care to someone with Alzheimer’s Disease.
- Alabama caregivers provided over 230 million hours of care that year!
- Alabama caregivers report that they need more support and information about dementia and caregiving.
Science magazine reported evidence has been uncovered that images a much-cited study, published 16 years ago in the journal Nature, may have been doctored. For decades, a leading theory on Alzheimer’s stated that the amyloid beta protein formed sticky plaques in the brain that were the main cause of Alzheimer’s. The paper caused a big splash at the time. But Science magazine said it found evidence that the paper’s images — and images in other studies on Aβ*56 had been doctored to inflate the protein’s role in the progression to Alzheimer’s. More than $1 billion of government funding, through the National Institutes of Health, has been directed to amyloid-related Alzheimer’s research. While the investigation suggests that studies of Aβ*56 should be opened up to new scrutiny, experts said the entire theory shouldn’t be discredited. Alzheimer’s theory undermined by accusations of fabricated research (nbcnews.com)
Participating in certain physical and mentally stimulating activities may be protective against dementia, new research suggests. In a large prospective cohort study, individuals who regularly engaged in strenuous exercise had a 35% less risk of dementia, those who consistently did household chores had a 21% lower risk, and those who reported seeing friends and family daily had a 15% lower risk compared with participants least adherent to these activity patterns.
In addition, the protective effects of these activities were found among participants both with and without a genetic risk for dementia. By engaging more frequently in healthy physical and mental activities, people may reduce their risk of dementia, irrespective of their inherited genetic susceptibility. Clean House, Healthy Mind? Chores May Lower Dementia Risk (medscape.com)
2 Tedx Talks on Alzheimer’s:
- Susan Frick, RUSH Alzheimer’s Disease Center, explores the impact of Alzheimer’s disease and how individuals are treated after their diagnosis. TEDx Talk about loneliness and Alzheimer’s.
- Beth Soltzberg, the Dementia Friends state lead in Massachusetts, delivered a TEDx Talk about memory cafes and their power to harness creativity and foster connection for individuals living with dementia.
A diet high in ultraprocessed foods (UPFs) is linked to an increased risk for dementia, new research suggests. In a prospective cohort study, individuals who consumed the highest amounts of soft drinks, chips, and other UPFs had the highest risk of developing dementia compared with their counterparts who consumed the lowest amounts of these foods. In addition, for every 10% increase in UPF consumption, the odds of developing any kind of dementia rose by 25%. Interestingly, replacing UPFs in the diet with unprocessed or minimally processed foods was associated with a lower risk. Fast Food Linked to Increased Dementia Risk (medscape.com)
Vera is a new app that can help uncover the “soundtrack of a person living with dementia’s life” and can help trigger long term memory. The right music at the right time can help improve mood, brain plasticity and quality of life. It can also reduce confusion, depression and agitation. The app is $10 a month. Read more here: Wellness Startup Vera Uses Music to Assist Dementia Patients – Rolling Stone. Or visit their website Vera (veramusic.com)
Cannabis researcher MedPharm has been granted funding to study the effect of phytocannabinoids — naturally occurring chemicals, called cannabinoids, from marijuana plants — on Alzheimer’s disease, with the ultimate aim of treatment development. The new funding comes from the Colorado State University Institute of Cannabis Research (ICR). It was awarded to MedPharm for its proposal, titled “Isolation and Pharmacological Evaluation of Phytocannabinoids for Alzheimer’s Disease.” MedPharm to Study Cannabinoids Effects in Alzheimer’s With Grant | Research Aims to Develop Phytocannabinoids as New Treatment | Alzheimer’s News Today (alzheimersnewstoday.com)
After Robin Williams died by suicide in August 2014, his widow, Susan Schneider Williams, would soon learn about a disease she had never heard of, but one that had haunted both of their lives. That disease is Lewy body dementia, with which the actor was diagnosed in October 2014 following an autopsy on his brain. Lewy body dementia: What Robin Williams’ widow wants you to know – CNN
Evidence suggests that dairy consumption is associated with better cognitive health in older adults. However, the results of a recent investigation introduce an exception to this possible link. Researchers found that high consumption of whole milk was associated with a higher rate of cognitive impairment in older adults with a high risk for cardiovascular disease. Does Whole Milk Speed Cognitive Decline in Older Population? (medscape.com)
Support ACA by using AmazonSmile! Designate Alzheimer’s of Central Alabama and Amazon will donate 0.5% of the price of your eligible purchases. smile.amazon.com